Archive for January, 2010

By Marty Sabota

Lightning Bear Productions

Nathaniel Chadwick, a senior at the University of North Texas, is majoring in international studies with a specialization in national security and counterterrorism.

So what does he want to be when he grows up, er, graduates in May?

“I’d like a career in photography,” said the 24-year-old Denton resident. “I don’t plan to do anything with my major.”

His major doesn’t lend himself to any exposure, photography-wise, but he has found an opportunity to showcase his work at a Denton bistro called Café Du Luxe.

Café Du Luxe has an entire wall designated solely for the purpose of featuring some of the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area’s brightest and most exciting artists on a monthly basis.

Chadwick, who is studying to receive his bachelor’s degree in arts and sciences, was selected by Café Du Luxe owner David Carles as the artist for January. The wall covered with his photography is his first high-profile venue.

Chadwick has been pursuing his passion for photography for six years. He said it began when he picked up a point and shoot camera and “it just felt right. I just loved taking pictures.”

“My inspiration comes from the world I see around me, including all kinds of places and people and capturing rare moments in time, Chadwick said. “My objective is to show people the world they see every day from a perspective that most have never seen.”

Chadwick has won a number of awards for his photography and several of his shots can be seen on the labels of Jones Soda bottles nationwide.

My pictures always have a story behind them, and my style is unique with my own personal touch on every image,” Chadwick said.

To see examples of Nathaniel’s work, visit: www.nchadwick.com. And Nathaniel’s “meet the artist night” will be at Café Du Luxe on Sunday, Jan. 24, from 5-7 p.m.

If you’re looking for a great place to enjoy an espresso and discuss, Café Du Luxe is your place.

Café Du Luxe is located at 3101 Unicorn Lake Blvd, near the Cinemark. It is open Monday though Thursday from 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday from 5:30 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday from 6 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

On January 9 & 10, it will be “Back to the 50s” Weekend at Cafe Du Luxe.

Poodle Skirts, Ducktails, Chili Dogs, Root Beer Floats and 50s music all weekend.

And on Saturday, January 9, the first annual Cafe Du Luxe “Back to the ’50s” Car Show will feature the Tri-Five Chevy Show, courtesy of the Dallas Area Classic Chevy car club.

“My wife Jana and I are members of the car club,” said David Carles, owner of Café Du Luxe. “We own a ’56 two-door post (a Chevy Del Ray, of course.)”

Awards will be given out for the best 55, best 56, best 57, best Tri-Five Truck and best Corvette.

David Graves, president of the car club, said anyone is welcome to attend and come in their ‘50s car.

He said the club is looking forward to the meet.

“Our guys enjoy bringing our cars to anything with a ‘50s theme,” Graves said.

The Café Du Luxe staff will be decked out in poodle skirts and ducktails,” Carles said. “We’ve even added a strolling, singing, guitar playing Elvis for this event.”

The cafe will offer special era menu items like Hot Dogs & Chili Dogs, in addition to its tasty selection of breakfast pastries, sandwiches, salads, soups, evening appetizers and decadent desserts.

The bistro has partnered with Beth Marie’s at Unicorn Lake by Cinemark Theater to provide Root Beer Floats. With the unique checker-board floors, marble top counter, antique-style round tables, wire-backed chairs and pressed metal ceiling so familiar to ice cream parlors of long ago, Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream has created the perfect gathering place for friends and family.

Music from the ’50s will permeate Café Du Luxe all weekend long and (weather permitting) the cafe will be showing a classic Horror Movie, Drive in Theater-style, on the north side of the building.

Music, local art and a contemporary atmosphere make Café Du Luxe the perfect alternative to those “on every street corner” cafes.

It serves private label coffees and some of the world’s finest wines. Artisan roasted coffees are the finest in Denton.

Authentic Italian espresso machines dispense the finest lattes and cappuccinos in the city.

A small complement of imported beers is chilled and waiting. Music, local art and a contemporary atmosphere make Café Du Luxe the perfect alternative to those “on every street corner” cafes.

An entire wall of the bistro has been designated solely for the purpose of featuring some of the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area’s brightest and most exciting artists on a monthly basis.

Currently on display is January’s new artist: Nathaniel Chadwick. Nathaniel specializes in Photography Art. To see examples of Nathaniel’s work, visit:www.nchadwick.com.  And Nathaniel’s “meet the artist night” will be Sunday, January 24th from 5-7 p.m.